Without the Maccabees (whose victory is the reason for Hanukkah) there would be no Christmas. The history of Israel ties in fully with the existence of Christianity. To drive this point home you could try imagining an alternative world history following the failure of the Maccabees. That is just what this article does:

“Without the victory of the Maccabees in 167 BCE, the ethical message of the one God of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam would have disappeared: to perceive the world as a gift to be managed and guarded by humans. Linked to this notion was the belief that God wanted us to become better than we were — without doing harm to others as we tried to achieve our very best. Above all else, we were responsible to each other and accountable to a single God Who believed that all human beings were precious and capable.”

One Response to Hanukkah–What if?

Dear Dave,
I was so disappointed to learn about Betty’s spot on her kidney. I am so sorry. I will continue to hold you in prayer. Obviously I am praying that it is merely a cyst. The church will continue to pray. Thank you for your blog. I especially enjoyed your last post. I wish you God’s peace.